v Hans Holbein b. 1497-1543 v Born in Augsburg, Germany. Received his training from his father. v German painter and designer, one of the greatest portrait painters v 1514- moved to Basle, he was employed as a designer for printmakers.
v 1514-1519- worked with his father designing a home. v He remained in Basle until 1526-during that time he became the leading painter in Basle. v Earned a major commission decorating the Town Hall with scenes from classical history. v 1523-1526- he made is best-known piece in printmaking- a series called the Dance of Death. v 1524- he went to France- gained more knowledge about the Renaissance painting. v 1526- the Reformation left very little work for Holbein- went to England with a letter of introduction to Sir Thomas More.
v 1528- Holbein returned to Basle- he worked on the decoration of the Town Hall, but religious and civil conflict left him little subjects to paint v 1532- Holbein returned to England. v Painted the famous double portrait The French Ambassadors in England. v After the painting of the French Ambassadors, Holbein was commissioned by Henry VIII. Henry often sent him to paint prospective brides. v Holbein also began miniature painting while in England. Second Reading: v Hans Holbein the younger (1497-1543) v His father trained him.
v His portraits contained: less dramatic subjects, close realism, Italian ideas (monumental composition, bodily structure, and sculpturesque form), exact color, and extreme detail). v Painted in Basle for Erasmus of Rotterdam. v Moved to England because of the Reformation- Erasmus of Rotter dale gave Holbein a letter of introduction to Sir Thomas More. v Painted The French Ambassadors in England- famous double portrait, the only painting signed with his full name. v The personalities and ideas of the two men are reflected in the objects in the painting. v Holbein also had subtle allusions to the going ons in the world around him such as the civil conflicts and the Reformation.
v Holbein alluded to death in the painting with the anamorphic skull and the crucifix on one of the two men.